Hannelore thank you very much for telling what it was about. It's really irritating to find something that looks interesting and not be able to understand it. But then it's good to know that all I have to do is come here and ask. Thanks again.

Hannelore thank you very much for telling what it was about. It's really irritating to find something that looks interesting and not be able to understand it. But then it's good to know that all I have to do is come here and ask. Thanks again.

Just a little tip :) Try out www.freetranslation.com It's my friend in need! I just cut and paste the text that I want to know what is about and translate it. It's not perfect but good enough to understand. It tranlate from a variety of languages (Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Italian) to English and vica versa. Hope this is helpful :)

How is it a good thing for a future constitutional monarch, who is supposed to be above politics and political controversy, to be agreeing publically with criticism? Philippe is entitled to think whatever privately, but publically, he can't be seen to go against the government or the ppl's wishes, or it would spell problems for the monarchy.

I agree he doesn't have to say his opinion about everything. But there's no need to make a fuss over a signature. And as for people's wishes, I know a lot of Belgians rather hear Filip speak his mind than being a bleek ceremonial figure.

Renée Cordes goes behind the scenes of one of one of the world's most famous carnivals, in the Belgian town of Binche.
Once a year, the sleepy town of Binche in Hainaut province returns to its glory days and puts on its annual carnival, one of Belgium's, and indeed Europe's, best parties.

It happens in the days preceding Lent, the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday when good Christians are supposed to reflect, refrain from fun, avoid eating red meat on Fridays and give up something pleasurable.

Among other things, the 40-day-period pays homage to the time Moses stayed on the Mountain of God as well as the time Jesus spent in the desert praying and fasting.

Before this period of extreme asceticism, Binche lets its hair down for some memorable merrymaking in a festival known in French as as "carnaval" (from the Latin for 'carne,' meat,' and 'levare,' to remove or raise).

In November 2003, the festival was even recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a "masterpiece of oral and intangible patrimony of humanity."

Last year, some 300,000 people attended, but the organisers expect an even bigger crowd this year, mainly due to the attendance of Belgian Prince Philippe and Princesse Mathilde.

After being welcomed by the bourgmestre of Binche and a representative of Hainaut province, the royal couple will meet some of the famous carnival characters and watch the events from the town hall balcony.

"It is an honour to have them," says Gautier de Winter, who as president of the Binche-based Association of the Defence of Folklore is tasked with organising the whole shebang. "It will hopefully help make the Binche carnival even more well-known."

Royal origins

The origins of the Binche carnival go back to the royal pageants of the 16th century staged by Mary of Hungary, sister of Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.

Different books give different accounts of the first carnival, but one version refers to a grand pageant on 22 August 1549, when Charles V entered the city gates accompanied by his full Spanish court.

The merrymaking lasted for seven days, and in the Pyrenees there spread a saying, "Mas bravas que la fiestes de Bains, roughly translate as :"No celebration better than those of Binche."

The glory period came to an end when King Henry II of France took hold of Binche and destroyed it.

UNESCO recognises the carnival as a "masterpiece of oral and intangible patrimony of humanity."

Today, Binche is mainly a working-class town, though its royal origins can still be seen in the 12th and 14th century ramparts, with their some 27 towers, that have miraculously survived and are quite unusual in Belgium.

Every year until this day, Binche returns to its glory days with its annual carnival.

The merrymaking begins the Monday of the week before, the so called "Nuit des Trouilles de Nouilles," when the whole town turns into one big costume party.

But of course the main event culminates in the three days before Lent, known as Dimanche-Gras, Lundi-Gras and, of course, the grand finale, Mardi-Gras.

Mardi-Gras is the only day when the gilles - more than 800 gloriously costumed characters decked in the Belgian national colours of black, red and yellow - come out.

Legend has it that they represent South American Indians shortly after they were discovered, but that is disputed.

Few people outside Binche know that the festivities on Mardi-Gras, known as "Fat Tuesday" in English, begin long before sunrise.

Starting at about 4.30am, one gille goes to the house of the next, takes a sip or two of champagne, and so on, until they all come together.

At around 8am, sporting their wax masks, they gather with the three carnival societies - on the Grand'Place at around 8am. Most will then go to a local restaurant for a traditional breakfast of oysters and champagne.

At 3pm, after the gilles and the others have been in full costume and partaking in prescribed rituals all day, the official parade begins.

Gautier de Winter, the head of the folklore association who has been a gilles for the past 26 years, explains that there are very strict, traditional rules governing the celebrations.

A gille can neither smoke nor eat in public, must always be accompanied by drums, cannot ever be drunk and must stay with his fellow gilles. In addition, except for short periods, the gilles are not allowed to remove their ostrich-feather-plumed hats, which weigh some 3 to 4 kilos, all afternoon!

"You have to be in good physical shape," he explains.

In addition, the Binche gilles are never allowed to leave their city to partake in pageants elsewhere, the only exception being the 1958 world exposition when they came to Brussels.

Only men born in Binche or member of a Binche family and living there for five years are allowed to be gilles.

This may seem somewhat confusing, especially as the gilles' costumes are made new every year and the old ones rented out to other carnival societies. But those who wear the rented costumes are obviously not the real gilles.

Only men born in Binche or member of a Binche family and living there for five years are allowed to be gilles. This year's group ranges in age from five to 69.

During the parade, the gilles toss out blood oranges to the public, a symbol of springtime and representing "warm countries," says de Gautier. In old days they used to distribute bread and nuts.

Those lucky enough to get a fruit should never by any means give it back, or it will be considered bad luck by all.

The Mardi-Gras celebrations go on until about midnight, when they culminate in a grand fireworks, and then the whole town goes to sleep dreaming about next year's events.

Philippe & Mathilde discover the carnival of Binche, that the princess already seems to be acquainted with.

BINCHE The town of the Gille was full of excitement for the arrival of Philippe and Mathilde: a part of the rue Saint-Jacques had been closed to public entrance so that the heros of the day could easily arrive. People eager to see them, had massed around the fences. Children and adults were awaiting the princely couple. At 16h15 they arrived at the backside of maison Basselier.

In her orange outfit, that she had picked out especially well for today, Mathilde was approved by everybody. And certainly by Julien, a 7 year old musketeer, who gave her a bouquet of mimosa, the flower of the carnival. The grandson of the Basselier family – owners of the balcony already had this honour at the royal visit in 1999. Philippe received a branch of mimosa from his pretty little sister, Armelle, 10 months old.

Guided by applause, the princess and her husband went inside. In the offices a delegation of folkloric actors were waiting them. Amid them, Jacques Devigne, alderman of folklore and Gille since 53 years. His prestigious guests quickly put him at ease and he answered their numerous questions about the town, it’s lace and it’s folklore. “Mathilde seemed to know the carnival of Binche well. I think she must’ve come here when she was still a student”, the alderman said.

The princess showed interest in the traditions, the number of participants, the costume of the Gilles and it’s price. Asking this last question, Philippe didn’t know he asked a delicate question. In Binche, people prefer not to talk about money! The alderman simply admitted that it was so expensive he rather didn’t think about it.

When Gauthier Dewinter, president of the Association of the defence of the folklore, offered his wax mask to prince Philippe, the prince held it in front of his face, saying it might come in useful to pass through the streets incognito. But despite of his majestic title, not just anyone can become a Gille!

After this talk, the princely couple went to the balcony, joining many known faces from the political world.

Lovely photos, Catherine. Mathilde is terribly elegant and, more importantly, very warm. She seems like a wonderful future queen for Belgium.

Also, have Mathilde and Phillippe ever said how many children they hoped to have? Any chance that little Elisabeth and Gabriel will get another sibling?

In a documentary on them, Philippe said: "Mathilde has made me father of two children...so far" so I think it's safe to say at least one more will follow. Mathilde is only 32 after all so there's still plenty of time